Panthers can’t complete rally
■ Turnovers in first half, missed free throws in second half prove costly.
Through 11 basketball games so far in the 2017-18 season, the Siloam Springs’ boys are learning some lessons the hard way.
The Panthers got another one Friday night.
Siloam Springs went 0 for 5 in the fourth quarter and the Panthers’ comeback attempt against Stilwell, Okla., came up short in a 60-57 loss on homecoming inside Panther Activity Center.
The loss sends Siloam Springs into the Christmas break with a record of 1-10 overall and fives losses by 10 or fewer points.
The Panthers turned the ball over 17 times and trailed Stilwell by as many as 13 points in the first half.
Siloam Springs cleaned up the turnovers in the second half and pulled within one point of the Indians’ lead on three different occasions with the chance to tie or take the lead several times. Ultimately though, the Indians never relinquished the lead and the Panthers were stuck with another tough loss.
“Over the course of the third quarter, a possession at a time, we got back in the game,” said Siloam Springs head coach Tim Stewart. “We had ample opportunity there at the end. We had a lot of free throws that we didn’t make and some good looking shots. Give Stilwell a lot of credit. They were scrappy and got some offensive rebounds and made some tough shots down the stretch too.”
The Panthers trailed 34-24 at halftime but came to life in the third quarter with a 16-7 run to open the second half. Siloam Springs senior Spencer Lashley and juniors Murphy Perkins and Jacob Wakefield combined to score all 18 of the Panthers’ points in the third and they trailed 43-42 before Stilwell’s Lucas Wolfe hit a 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter to give the Indians a 46-42 lead going into the fourth.
The Panthers then turned to their youth to open the fourth quarter with four sophomores and one junior on the floor, and the youngsters held their own as Evan Sauer had a 3-pointer bounce in to keep the Panthers within one point.
Stilwell answered again though with two free throws from Scott Eubanks and a 3-pointer from Jacob Christie to get the lead back to 53-47.
Jordan Stewart knocked down his third 3-pointer of the night to keep the Panthers within 53-50, but Stilwell scored four straight to go up 57-50.
Perkins then scored five straight for the Panthers to make it 57-55. Eubanks scored to put the Indians up 59-55, but Marquan Sorrells scored inside and was fouled to give the Panthers a chance to pull within one again. However, Sorrells missed the free throw and the lead remained two.
Lashley missed a pair of free throws with a chance to tie and Perkins missed the front end of a one-and-one with 14.1 seconds left that also would have allowed the Panthers to tie the game.
Stilwell blew some opportunities at the foul line as well, but Tyson Fourkiller hit 1 of 2 foul shots with nine seconds left to put the Indians up 60-57.
After a scramble on the rebound of Fourkiller’s missed free throw, the Panthers grabbed the rebound and got the ball downcourt to Sauer, who tried to spring himself free for a gametying 3-pointer. Sauer got a shot off, but he shuffled his feet before he did and was called for traveling as time expired.
Christie led the Indians (7-1) with 19 points, while Eubanks had 12 and Logan Mattox 11.
“Coach Stewart does a great job over here,” Stilwell coach Mike George said. “They’re always well coached. It’s an honor to come over here and play against a team like Siloam Springs. They were welldisciplined. They played hard the whole time. We’re grateful to get out of here with a win.”
Perkins led Siloam Springs with 15 points, while Lashley and Jordan Stewart each had 11. Sorrells and Wakefield each finished with seven points, while Sauer and Karson Clement each had three.
“We’ve had kids step up every game,” Tim Stewart said. “From the seniors all the way down to the sophomores — different guys stepping up. That’s an area of growth. To come out in the second half and not turn the ball over and to have a little more poise compared to the first half, it shows the characters of the kids. … We’ve learned some stuff through this. It is hard in the moment, but I really think we’ve improved every game. Come conference time we’re going to do some really good things.”
Rogers 66, Siloam Springs 56
The Mounties jumped out to a big lead in the first half, but had to hold on in the second half for the win..
Rogers led 40-19 at halftime. Siloam Springs got within 12 late in the third quarter, but never got closer than the final score in the second half.
Sophomore Drew Miller and 6-4 senior Jaden Uecker led Rogers with 16 points each, while Garrett Dake added 13.
Spencer Lashley was the lone Panther in double figures with 10. Murphy Perkins added eight, while Tyler Pettit and Diego Flores each had seven and Marquan Sorrells four.
Carson Wleklinski, Evan Sauer , Jacob Wakefield and Jordan Stewart each scored three points, while Thad Wright, Karson Clement, Sam Everett and Drew Vachon each had two.
Up next
The Panthers will return to action at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 28 against Claremore, Okla., on the opening day of the Siloam Springs Holiday Classic.